Chapter 15.32
OBSTRUCTIONS*
* Editor’s Note: This chapter was revised in its entirety by Ord. 2004-07. The following prior code sections were formerly codified in this chapter: Prior code §§ 7212.1 and 7213; the following ordinances, or parts thereof, were also formerly codified in this chapter: Ords. 80-12, 83-31, 94-12 and 2002-37.
Sections:
15.32.010 Placement of obstructions on streets and sidewalks.
15.32.012 Obstructions on sidewalks.
15.32.020 Repealed by Ordinance 80-12 § 3.
15.32.030 Street obstructions – Maintenance after dark.
15.32.040 Sidewalk obstructions – After dark.
15.32.050 Public nuisance declared.
15.32.010 PLACEMENT OF OBSTRUCTIONS ON STREETS AND SIDEWALKS.
(a) No person shall place or park any vehicle or object on any public street, sidewalk, roadway, pedestrian way, or bicycle path in the city of Santa Cruz, where placement of such vehicle or object constitutes a hazard to traffic or pedestrians or an obstruction to the free movement of traffic for pedestrians under either of the following circumstances:
(1) When such person does so with the intent that such vehicle or object remain in such a place for an unreasonable or substantial period of time; or
(2) When such person thereafter knowingly permits such vehicle or object to remain in such place for an unreasonable or substantial period of time.
(b) Any period of time which is likely to result in, or which does result in, more than a trivial hazard or obstruction shall constitute an unreasonable or substantial period of time.
(Ord. 2004-07 § 2 (part), 2004).
15.32.011 EXCEPTIONS.
Section 15.32.010 shall not apply to the following cases:
(a) Parking of emergency vehicles;
(b) Parking of any vehicle in any place where such parking is permitted by law;
(c) Placement of structures or barriers for the protection of pedestrians or traffic;
(d) Placement of benches pursuant to permit granted by the city of Santa Cruz;
(e) Placement of structures or barriers by the city of Santa Cruz or by any other governmental agency, when such structures or barriers are intended to serve the public convenience, safety, or necessity;
(f) Placement of ornamental trees by the city or with the city’s consent;
(g) Placement of newsracks in conformity with provisions of this code regulating newsracks on city sidewalks;
(h) Placement of trash or other debris in appropriate containers for pickup by the city of Santa Cruz or its contractors, when placed in accordance with the schedules of the city of Santa Cruz sanitation department or its contractors;
(i) Placement of any vehicles, structure, barrier, stand, or object pursuant to permit granted by the city of Santa Cruz.
(Ord. 2004-07 § 2 (part), 2004).
15.32.012 OBSTRUCTIONS ON SIDEWALKS.
No person having the control, possession or ownership of any lot or parcel of land within the limits of the city, shall allow the sidewalk in front of the lot or parcel of land to become obstructed by weeds, grass or other vegetable growths in such manner as to deface the sidewalk, impede travel or create a fire menace.
(Ord. 2004-07 § 2 (part), 2004).
15.32.020 Repealed by Ordinance 80-12 § 3.
15.32.030 STREET OBSTRUCTIONS – MAINTENANCE AFTER DARK.
With the exception of construction materials and equipment subject to the requirements of this section, no person shall place in the public streets of the city, without permit, between sunset and sunrise, any object which may represent a hazard to vehicular traffic. No person shall place in the public streets of the city any lumber, gravel, sand, plaster, trucks, wagons, tracked vehicles or other construction-related equipment and/or materials between sunset and sunrise unless at least two red lights, being placed at either end of such materials and equipment, have been placed by the person responsible.
(Ord. 2004-07 § 2 (part), 2004).
15.32.040 SIDEWALK OBSTRUCTIONS – AFTER DARK.
No person, without a permit, shall place on the public sidewalks of the city between sunset and sunrise any structure or object which may potentially represent a hazard or obstruction to any able-bodied or disabled person traversing any portion of such public sidewalk. This section shall not apply to items left on public sidewalks for refuse or recycling collection.
(Ord. 2004-07 § 2 (part), 2004).
15.32.050 PUBLIC NUISANCE DECLARED.
If any vehicle, object, structure, construction material or construction equipment is placed or left upon any public street, sidewalk, roadway, pedestrian way or bicycle path in the city of Santa Cruz, contrary to the terms of this chapter and without the written permission of the director of public works, any such vehicle, object, structure, construction material or construction equipment is declared to be a public nuisance, and the director of public works is hereby authorized and empowered to remove any such vehicle, object, structure, construction material or construction equipment from the public street, sidewalk, roadway, pedestrian way or bicycle path forthwith. If the person owning or otherwise responsible for any such vehicle, object, structure, construction material or construction equipment is present, then before removing the vehicle, object, structure, construction material or construction equipment, the director of public works or the person designated by the superintendent shall warn that person that he or she is in violation of this chapter and shall give that person the opportunity to remove forthwith the vehicle, object, structure, construction material or construction equipment.
(Ord. 2004-07 § 2 (part), 2004).